Kazakhstan's Deputy Prime Minister: China is a global leader, and Central Asia is a region with great potential.
Report of the Kazakhstan International News Agency, Kazakhstan's Vice Premier and Minister of National Economy, Selik Zhumanharlin, stated at the Second "Central Asia-China" Business Council Meeting held in the capital that in 2024, the trade volume between Central Asia and China reached $95 billion, of which nearly half was contributed by Kazakhstan, setting a record of $44 billion in bilateral trade.
He pointed out that combining the potential of Central Asian countries with China's great opportunities will bring unprecedented improvement to mutually beneficial cooperation and partnership frameworks.
"This progress is first and foremost due to the sincere friendship and trust relationships between the leaders of various countries. 'Leadership diplomacy' has become an important force in strengthening the partnership between Central Asia and China. We have tremendous opportunities to deepen cooperation in all fields. China is undoubtedly one of the global leaders in the economic and technological fields. Chinese enterprises are renowned for the high quality, reliability, and innovation of their products. China has always been a leader of progress, making great contributions to improving the quality of life for people around the world," Zhumanharlin said at the opening ceremony of the Business Council.
Central Asia is a rapidly developing region with great potential, creating favorable conditions for comprehensive cooperation. Cross-border projects by Chinese investors have enhanced the level of regional economic connectivity.
At present, Kazakhstan and other Central Asian countries are undergoing economic reforms, opening up new opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation.
"Trade and economic cooperation is our top priority. The trade volume between Central Asia and China has grown rapidly. In 2024, this indicator reached $95 billion, of which nearly half came from Kazakhstan, with bilateral trade reaching a record $44 billion. In the future, we plan to double the bilateral trade volume. To achieve this, we need to further develop barrier-free trade and strengthen direct business ties," Zhumanharlin said.
In addition, e-commerce has injected new momentum into trade relations, providing possibilities for the rapid exchange of goods and services.
"We support the initiatives of President Xi Jinping and confirm our readiness to participate in the establishment of the 'Silk Road E-commerce Pilot Zone' project. We already have experience in opening national pavilions on e-commerce platforms such as 'Alibaba' and 'JD.com'," the minister said.
It is worth noting that today, the Second "Central Asia-China" Summit will be held in the capital, with leaders from China and the five Central Asian countries attending.
The first summit was held in Xi'an, China on May 19, 2023. During the first summit, the leaders signed the "Xi'an Declaration" and adopted several initiatives.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1835164808357891/
Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of the author.